Why do people gossip?
1/4/2015
Why do people gossip?
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1/4/2015
Temptation of Satan
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor. 10:13
Satan is the source behind gossip. Jesus Christ said, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do…When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44) He is called the "accuser of our brethren" (Revelation 12:10). Note: Listen as Jude describes the gossiping nature of Satan and his demons ---- and people who follow them: "Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities....But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves."
Pride It is out of pride that people gossip about others and pull them down. This allows their own egos to rise on the ruins of others - Prov. 13:10 "Only by pride cometh contention.” (quarrel, debate, strife, division) The gossiper experiences a temporary illusions of selfworth, but quickly descends even lower than before. He or she then yearns to gossip again, in order to experience another high.
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1/4/2015
Gossip can become an addiction Some people are addicted to gossip just as much as some others are addicted to food, sex and drugs. Why? Because it makes them feel good about themselves temporary! "Sin has pleasure for a season..."
Greed, Frustration and Dissatisfaction with your situation in life produces gossip. You can't have everything you want in life. When you see a person who has what you desire (position, success, reputation, respect) or who has much more then you possess (material things) you become envious and jealous - "For jealousy is the rage of a man... A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones."
Idleness breeds gossip People who are idle with their hands tend to be active with their tongues. (I Timothy 5:1) "And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not."
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1/4/2015
8 Flavors of Gossip
1. Slander “He that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” (Prov. 10:18) • It’s defined as purposely spreading rumors or lies about a person to cause damage. • The written form of it is libel. • The Bible mentions slander countless times in lists like this one: “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy (slander), filthy communication out of your mouth.” (Colossians 3:8). • James 4:11 tells it straight:“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law.”
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1/4/2015
2. Sharing the “juicy info”
• In sharing “juicy info” about someone it may not be your intent to directly cause damage, but by keeping the gossip alive, it continues it to spread and taint the image of the person it’s about. • (Proverbs 20:19) “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him.” • (James 5:9) “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”
3. Rumors • You hear something, and it’s not good, and it can not be confirmed as true. But you tell someone anyway or ask someone else about it to get more information. • The rumor mill turns and turns and the gossip spreads. • Proverbs 13:3 says - “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
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1/4/2015
4. Backbiting • It’s a type of gossip that involves speaking spiteful or slanderous words about another who is not present and can do nothing in their defense. • It’s secretive, and is born out of anger and bitterness – Heb. 12:15 • “The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance and backbiting tongue.” (Prov. 25:23) • “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.” (Psalm 101:5)
5. Not-Really-Joking Jokes • Have you ever taken some part of truth and turned it into a joke about someone that makes other question their character? • Example: Maybe he/she will actually get off the couch today long enough to _______________. haha. • This serves as a way to spread more gossip. • When the joking is harmful to another, it’s mockery. • Prov. 30:17 “The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.” • Jer. 20:7 “I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.”
• How can you know a mocker? Proverbs 9:8, 21:24 • “Reprove not a scorner (mocker), lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” • “Proud and haughty scorner (mocker) is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.” • Psalm 1:1 starts out: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
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1/4/2015
6. Planting Evil Seeds • The Bible tells us we reap what we sow – Gal. 6:7-8 • With that in mind, this type of gossip is said in such a way to make the listener question or assume something negative about the character of a person. • For example: Isn’t it weird how he keeps staring at your girlfriend/wife when you’re not looking? • James 3:5 tells us, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”
A warning from the Bible from Proverbs 16:28 “A froward (difficult to deal with; contrary) man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.”
7. Whispered Innuendo • Subtle insinuations that can mislead others into thinking wrong thoughts and coming to wrong conclusions about a person. • Here’s an example: It’s interesting how he was at there house the night that went missing. • Prov. 18:8, 26:20 “The words of a talebearer (whisperer) are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” • Prov. 26:20 “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer (whisperer), the strife ceaseth.”
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1/4/2015
8. I am not sure I “Got-This-All-Right” gossip • You admit you probably do not have all the information, facts or details correct, but you spread the gossip anyway because it’s still touching on some points that could be true. • It usually starts out like this: “I may have this all wrong, but apparently…” • This is one of the most common types of gossip. • We think we’re just passing on the latest news but is it really the truth or could it hurt someone? • James 4:17 says, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
• Matt. 7:2 “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” • Mark 4:24 “And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
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1/4/2015
Detect gossip To stop gossip, you must recognize it.
Realize the source The next time you are tempted to gossip, think about the source and bite your tongue.
Realize how much God hates gossip Gossip-related sins appear three times on God's "hit list" of the seven most abominable things He hates: "A lying tongue...a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren." (Proverbs 6:17-19)
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1/4/2015
Repent of gossip
“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:31
Don't listen to gossip Just listening to gossip makes you an accomplice.
10
1/4/2015
Speak words that edify and praise words of life not death. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Prov. 18:21 In short, use your tongue to bless - not curse! “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” James 3:10
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Why do people gossip?
1
1/4/2015
Temptation of Satan
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor. 10:13
Satan is the source behind gossip. Jesus Christ said, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do…When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44) He is called the "accuser of our brethren" (Revelation 12:10). Note: Listen as Jude describes the gossiping nature of Satan and his demons ---- and people who follow them: "Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities....But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves."
Pride It is out of pride that people gossip about others and pull them down. This allows their own egos to rise on the ruins of others - Prov. 13:10 "Only by pride cometh contention.” (quarrel, debate, strife, division) The gossiper experiences a temporary illusions of selfworth, but quickly descends even lower than before. He or she then yearns to gossip again, in order to experience another high.
2
1/4/2015
Gossip can become an addiction Some people are addicted to gossip just as much as some others are addicted to food, sex and drugs. Why? Because it makes them feel good about themselves temporary! "Sin has pleasure for a season..."
Greed, Frustration and Dissatisfaction with your situation in life produces gossip. You can't have everything you want in life. When you see a person who has what you desire (position, success, reputation, respect) or who has much more then you possess (material things) you become envious and jealous - "For jealousy is the rage of a man... A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones."
Idleness breeds gossip People who are idle with their hands tend to be active with their tongues. (I Timothy 5:1) "And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not."
3
1/4/2015
8 Flavors of Gossip
1. Slander “He that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” (Prov. 10:18) • It’s defined as purposely spreading rumors or lies about a person to cause damage. • The written form of it is libel. • The Bible mentions slander countless times in lists like this one: “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy (slander), filthy communication out of your mouth.” (Colossians 3:8). • James 4:11 tells it straight:“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law.”
4
1/4/2015
2. Sharing the “juicy info”
• In sharing “juicy info” about someone it may not be your intent to directly cause damage, but by keeping the gossip alive, it continues it to spread and taint the image of the person it’s about. • (Proverbs 20:19) “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him.” • (James 5:9) “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”
3. Rumors • You hear something, and it’s not good, and it can not be confirmed as true. But you tell someone anyway or ask someone else about it to get more information. • The rumor mill turns and turns and the gossip spreads. • Proverbs 13:3 says - “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
5
1/4/2015
4. Backbiting • It’s a type of gossip that involves speaking spiteful or slanderous words about another who is not present and can do nothing in their defense. • It’s secretive, and is born out of anger and bitterness – Heb. 12:15 • “The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance and backbiting tongue.” (Prov. 25:23) • “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.” (Psalm 101:5)
5. Not-Really-Joking Jokes • Have you ever taken some part of truth and turned it into a joke about someone that makes other question their character? • Example: Maybe he/she will actually get off the couch today long enough to _______________. haha. • This serves as a way to spread more gossip. • When the joking is harmful to another, it’s mockery. • Prov. 30:17 “The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.” • Jer. 20:7 “I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.”
• How can you know a mocker? Proverbs 9:8, 21:24 • “Reprove not a scorner (mocker), lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” • “Proud and haughty scorner (mocker) is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.” • Psalm 1:1 starts out: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
6
1/4/2015
6. Planting Evil Seeds • The Bible tells us we reap what we sow – Gal. 6:7-8 • With that in mind, this type of gossip is said in such a way to make the listener question or assume something negative about the character of a person. • For example: Isn’t it weird how he keeps staring at your girlfriend/wife when you’re not looking? • James 3:5 tells us, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”
A warning from the Bible from Proverbs 16:28 “A froward (difficult to deal with; contrary) man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.”
7. Whispered Innuendo • Subtle insinuations that can mislead others into thinking wrong thoughts and coming to wrong conclusions about a person. • Here’s an example: It’s interesting how he was at there house the night that went missing. • Prov. 18:8, 26:20 “The words of a talebearer (whisperer) are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” • Prov. 26:20 “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer (whisperer), the strife ceaseth.”
7
1/4/2015
8. I am not sure I “Got-This-All-Right” gossip • You admit you probably do not have all the information, facts or details correct, but you spread the gossip anyway because it’s still touching on some points that could be true. • It usually starts out like this: “I may have this all wrong, but apparently…” • This is one of the most common types of gossip. • We think we’re just passing on the latest news but is it really the truth or could it hurt someone? • James 4:17 says, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
• Matt. 7:2 “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” • Mark 4:24 “And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
8
1/4/2015
Detect gossip To stop gossip, you must recognize it.
Realize the source The next time you are tempted to gossip, think about the source and bite your tongue.
Realize how much God hates gossip Gossip-related sins appear three times on God's "hit list" of the seven most abominable things He hates: "A lying tongue...a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren." (Proverbs 6:17-19)
9
1/4/2015
Repent of gossip
“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:31
Don't listen to gossip Just listening to gossip makes you an accomplice.
10
1/4/2015
Speak words that edify and praise words of life not death. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Prov. 18:21 In short, use your tongue to bless - not curse! “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” James 3:10
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